HBA-EVB S.B. 606 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 606
By: Fraser
Transportation
4/28/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 75th Legislature established the Strategic Military Planning Commission
(SMPC) to develop a statewide strategy to prevent future defense closures
and realignments. The SMPC developed a master plan as a starting point for
accomplishing these goals. According to the master plan, Texas'
transportation infrastructure is critical to the military forces based
here. When military forces must engage in quick deployment, poorly
maintained or inadequate roads could cause a delay that might result in the
loss of lives.  S.B. 606 is based on a recommendation from the SMPC's
master plan, and requires the Texas Department of Transportation to conduct
a study of strategic deployment routes and highways used by the military,
and the submission of a report and recommendations resulting from this
study.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  STUDY OF HIGHWAYS USED BY THE MILITARY.  Requires the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to conduct a study of strategic
deployment routes and other highways critical to the mission of the
military in this state.  Requires TxDOT, as part of its study, to meet with
appropriate persons from military installations in this state to identify
those strategic deployment routes and highways most often used by the
military.  Requires the department to specifically study the conditions of
these routes and highways used by the military and identify those highways
that need further construction, expansion, or maintenance.  Requires the
department to consider the costs necessary to accomplish the highway
improvements.  Authorizes the department to base a portion of this study on
prior department studies and existing data that provide substantially
accurate data and address a relevant or designated issue for study in this
Act.  Authorizes the department, to reduce the overall cost of this study,
to enlist the services of available university support to aid the
department in its research if it so chooses. 

SECTION 2.  REPORT.  Requires the Texas Department of Transportation, not
later than January 31, 2000, to submit a written report to the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives detailing
the results of the study required by SECTION 1 of this Act, including any
recommendations for legislative action. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
   Effective date:  upon passage.